Master clock system



F 1945- -P. VANNINI ET AL I 2,369,312

MASTER CLOCK SYSTEM Filed Feb. 19, 1942 Patented Feb. 20, 1945 MASTER CLOCK SYSTEM Philipp Vannini and Paul Hungerbiihlcr, Zug, Switzerland, assignors to Landis & Gyr, A. G., Zug, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application February 19, 1942, Serial No. 431,464

In Switzerland July 31, 1941 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a mechanism for master clock installations.

Extensions of clock installations operating on the induction principle in which a pendulum controls the running of the clock and an electrical impulse generator is periodically energized or released to generate a momentary impulse, which, when transmitted to a secondary clock advances the secondary clock an amount equal to the period, raise the question of interchangeability of the existing master-clock for one of greater capacity. It may occur that an installation is to be set up in which the number of the receiving or secondary clocks or units is unfavorably situated in respect of the available types of masterclocks, as this number is too big for one single type, and the next size of master-clock would not be fully utilized and would cause unnecessary high installation cost. This shortcoming can of course be overcome by constructing a greater number of master-clock types, which however complicates manufacturing and involves more storage.

The object of the invention is to obviate the above named disadvantages. According to it the runningor clock-Work governing means of a clock operating on the induction principle effects a synchronization of at least one other clock without extra running work governing means. The armature shaft of an induction pendulum clock can be advantageously connected through control rods with the armature shaft of at least one induction clock without work governing means. The control rods may be provided with pivot suspension secured by spring pressure.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain structures embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but tWo of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

Fig. 1 is a. diagrammatic illustration of the first form of embodiment Figure 2 is a similar view of a second exemplary embodiment Figure 3-. shows adetailed section corresponding to either form.

In the drawing only those parts are given which are necessary for the understanding of the inven tion.

According to the first embodiment l designates the dial, 2 the inductor or impulse generator, 3

the weight embodying the driving force and 4 the pendulum representing the clock-work governing means of a master-clock operating on the induction principle. This master-clock is arranged in a case 6 together with comparative secondary clocks and a second master-clock which is also provided with dial l inductor 2 and weight 3 but without the work governing medium, i. e. the pendulum 4 of the first clock.

To the armature shaft of each clock, 1. e. the

shaft on which the carrier of the vanes rides, an

arm I, l is fixed, the vanes together with an escapement wheel regulating the-descent of the weight. Said arms 1, 1 are interconnected by a rod in such a way that with oscillating (swinging) of the shaft they always remain parallel to each other.

In order to avoid friction on the joints of rod 8 with the arms 1, l rod 8 has tapered ends 9 which are preferably slightly rounded ofi (see Fig. 3) and which lie against a concave or pillow bush I8. The fitting of the tapered end on the pillow bush I0 is ensured by a helical spring ll permitting all-round clearance to pivots 9. The spring is coiled with one end on the outer thread of a set ring [2' adjusted to rod 8 and with the other end fixed on a screw bolt 13 holding the pillow bush in. The screw bolt I3 is secured on arm I by lock nuts M by means of which the accurate arallel position of arms I, I can be set.

The swinging of pendulum 4 of the first master-clock is transmitted by the rods 1, 8, l to the armature axis of the second master clock without pendulum so, that the latter generates and sends out current impulses synchronously with the inductor of the master-clock governed by pendulum 4, synchronizing thereby the secondary works lying in its circuit, similar to the inductor of the first master-clock.

According to the second form of embodiment the armature shaft l5 of master-clock l6 fitted with pendulum 4 is connected by rods 1, 8, l and 1, 8, T with the armature shafts I5 and I5 of two further master-clocks I6 and it provided with driving weight 3 and 3 respectively, but without the work governing pendulum 4 of master clock 6. The interconnections I, 1 I and 8 are diagrammatically indicated simply as linked joints. In actual practice, however, they are to be preferably executed with pivot suspension secured by spring pressure, similar to Fig. 3.

The number of master-clocks without work governing means synchronously controlled by one master-clock with work governing means can naturally, be more than two.

The mechanism according to the invention allows an extension of the clock installation in a simple and cheap way as there is no need to replace the old master-clock by a bigger type. Moreover, it makes it possible to manage with a few clock types and with those of small capacity irrespective of the size of the installation or its possible later extension. Thereby the manufacture and storage of such clocks is simplified. The use of pivot suspension at the junction of the interconnecting controls (transmission rods) prevents friction in a considerable degree.

While we have described specific embodiments of our invention it is to be understood that the details of construction may be changed by those skilled in the art within the purview of this invention.

We claim:

1. In a master clock system having a master clock and a plurality of inductors for generating impulses to be transmitted to secondary clocks, an escapement controlling each inductor, an oscillatory member controlling each escapement,

and a link interconnecting the oscillatory members to synchronize the impulses from the inductors, each interconnection comprising a coupling means connecting the link pivotally and resiliently with each oscillatory member.

2. A master clock system as claimed in claim 1, in which the link is pivotally connected to each oscillatory member by a rounded end seated in a concave seat and the members are secured together by a tension spring surrounding the link.

3. A master clock system as claimed in claim 1 in which the link is formed with tapered ends each seated in concave bush carried by an oscillatory member and a tension pring surrounding the link is attached to the link and oscillatory member to maintain the link end seated in the bush.

4. A master clock system as claimed in claim 1 in which the link is formed with tapered ends each seated in concave bush carried by an oscillatory member and a tension spring surrounding the link is attached to the link and oscillatory member to maintain the link end seated in the bush the link length and bushes being propor tioned to maintain the oscillatory members parallel.

PHILIPP VANNINI.

PAUL HUNGERBUHLER. 

